off guard
Caught by surprise
Unprepared or unsuspecting, especially when surprised by something unexpected.
To catch someone off guard is to surprise them when they're not ready: The question caught me off guard.
To be off guard is to have your defenses down, whether literally or figuratively.
The opposite is on guard.
Seized or grabbed
- startledAbruptly surprised or alarmed
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
- blindsidedSurprised by unforeseen impact
- shockedDeeply startled or appalled
stunned · jolted · astonished · taken aback · floored · gobsmacked · thunderstruck · flabbergasted
Not yet prepared
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- unawareLacking knowledge of something
- unwaryWithout due caution
- nappingSleeping briefly, often midday
flat-footed · sleeping · distracted · oblivious · inattentive · careless · negligent · lulled
Out in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
- openNot closed
- susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed
unshielded · undefended · weak · helpless · at risk · compromised · disarmed · wide open
caught
Seized or grabbed
- startledAbruptly surprised or alarmed
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
- blindsidedSurprised by unforeseen impact
shocked · stunned · jolted · astonished · taken aback · floored · gobsmacked · thunderstruck · flabbergasted · dumbfounded
unready
Not yet prepared
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- unawareLacking knowledge of something
- unwaryWithout due caution
napping · flat-footed · sleeping · distracted · oblivious · inattentive · careless · negligent · lulled · complacent
exposed
Out in open
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
- openNot closed
susceptible · unshielded · undefended · weak · helpless · at risk · compromised · disarmed · wide open · sitting duck
at ease
Relaxed, not tense
- unwindingReleasing coiled tension
- comfortablePhysically at ease
- calmFree from agitation
mellow · loose · casual · settled · chilled · laid-back · leisurely · decompressing · trusting · unsuspicious
- phrasesnoun phrases, noun phrase, verb phrase, prepositional phrase, prepositional phrases
- unreadyunprepared, ill-prepared, ill-equipped, unready, not ready
- basketball playerscenter, small forward, power forward, forward, starter
- guardsbodyguard, protector, sentinel, sentry, watchman
- negligence expressionsdrop the ball, asleep at the wheel, let slide, caught napping, neglect
- sudden thingssuddenly, abruptly, unexpectedly, instantly, spontaneous
off guardon guard
Alert and watchful
alert · vigilant · on one's guard · prepared · ready
off guardforewarned
Notified of coming trouble
expecting · anticipating · unsurprised · knowing · clued in
off, guard, guarded, guardian, unguarded, on guard, unawares, guardianship, guardedly